since the thread in which the above comments were posted in is now closed, i would like to offer my thoughts on this topic (expanding on "another fucking mac user. how i despise them").
here are commonly held views on why macs are preferred in studios:
1*they do not get viruses
2*they do not crash
3*they are faster
first of all, i dont really dispute the first two, since i have never had problems with macs when i have used them (i do not regularly use macs).
however,
1* if you are planning to use a workstation computer as the centre of your studio or as an integral part, you would favourably do little else than engage in audio-related tasks. with this in mind, a PC should never get a virus. If you are using your workstation for unrelated work (unessential internet browsing, filesharing etc) then by no means is your 'studio' 'professional'. a professional studio will concern itself with just audio.
2* i admit i have not seen a mac crash, but then again i do not operate them enough to put them under conditions which might spark such a breakdown. the reality is, though, that Windows XP is extremely stable, and, as aforementioned, if your workstation is concerned with audio, you will not install unnecessary programs, and will tweak the system to best handle the operations you desire. i have 3 computers running XP in my home, including a dedicated audio workstation. none have ever crashed.
3* i dont know how true this is anymore, considering the progress in technology developed for both platforms. both are capable of 64-bit processing now and it seems both mac and PC are quite capable of hosting most configurations of audio plugins and programs.
if a particular mac is faster than a particular PC, it is reasonable to think it could run, say, 3 more instances of plugin x than the PC.
but remember, we are talking about studios, and professional setups are equipped with at least one audio DSP card, which is made to handle the processing of audio tasks beyond the CPU's ability. a minor difference in system speed? - who gives a fuck.
software wise, there are exclusive programs for both PC and mac, and most hardware is cross-platform.
ease of use - who can't operate a start menu? once you get used to either system, fluid use results naturally.
modifiability - no contest. PC.
it is true that studios (and most other media-centred environments) use macs instead of PCs. but this is only so because people see macs being used in these settings and follow lead. oh, and they might look a bit cooler....
with proper use, neither system is better than the other.
please share your opinions on the Mac vs PC issue.
here are commonly held views on why macs are preferred in studios:
1*they do not get viruses
2*they do not crash
3*they are faster
first of all, i dont really dispute the first two, since i have never had problems with macs when i have used them (i do not regularly use macs).
however,
1* if you are planning to use a workstation computer as the centre of your studio or as an integral part, you would favourably do little else than engage in audio-related tasks. with this in mind, a PC should never get a virus. If you are using your workstation for unrelated work (unessential internet browsing, filesharing etc) then by no means is your 'studio' 'professional'. a professional studio will concern itself with just audio.
2* i admit i have not seen a mac crash, but then again i do not operate them enough to put them under conditions which might spark such a breakdown. the reality is, though, that Windows XP is extremely stable, and, as aforementioned, if your workstation is concerned with audio, you will not install unnecessary programs, and will tweak the system to best handle the operations you desire. i have 3 computers running XP in my home, including a dedicated audio workstation. none have ever crashed.
3* i dont know how true this is anymore, considering the progress in technology developed for both platforms. both are capable of 64-bit processing now and it seems both mac and PC are quite capable of hosting most configurations of audio plugins and programs.
if a particular mac is faster than a particular PC, it is reasonable to think it could run, say, 3 more instances of plugin x than the PC.
but remember, we are talking about studios, and professional setups are equipped with at least one audio DSP card, which is made to handle the processing of audio tasks beyond the CPU's ability. a minor difference in system speed? - who gives a fuck.
software wise, there are exclusive programs for both PC and mac, and most hardware is cross-platform.
ease of use - who can't operate a start menu? once you get used to either system, fluid use results naturally.
modifiability - no contest. PC.
it is true that studios (and most other media-centred environments) use macs instead of PCs. but this is only so because people see macs being used in these settings and follow lead. oh, and they might look a bit cooler....
with proper use, neither system is better than the other.
please share your opinions on the Mac vs PC issue.
